In the current study new antibacterial densely dispersed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized using a facile electrochemical approach in the presence of chitosan (Cs)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) semi-interpenetrating (semi-IPN) NPs. Formation of the AgNPs was confirmed by appearance of surface plasmon resonance peaks at 405 nm. The intensities of the absorption increased with increasing the time of both electrochemical process and the reduction time up to 2 h. The prepared Cs/PVA semi-IPN NPs were uniform and spherical with average size of 150 nm. The AgNPs were formed mostly on the surface of Cs/PVA semi-IPN NPs in addition to a portion formed in the suspension with average size in the range of 3 - 8 nm. The antibacterial activity of the Cs/PVA NPs and the newly developed Ag-Cs/PVA hybrid NPs was evaluated against P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella, E. coli, and S. epidermidus bacteria. It was found that the green synthesized Ag-Cs/PVA hybrid NPs exhibited a stronger antibacterial activity as compared with Cs/PVA NPs especially for S. epidermidus.

Keywords: Electrochemical; Nanoparticles; Semi-IPN; Silver; Antibacterial Activity;